Shandong's county enhances local industry through advanced processing

Caoxian county in East China's Shandong province boasts the largest scale of asparagus plantation in China, with a planting area of over 6,666.67 hectares, which accounts for 60 percent of the country's total output.

The asparagus cultivated in Caoxian county is renowned for its fine texture and delicious taste, thanks to the region's excellent environmental conditions. Upon arrival at the factory, freshly-picked asparagus undergoes initial processing steps, including peeling, trimming, grading, steaming, canning, soup pouring, sealing, and sterilizing. These processes aim to extend the shelf life of the canned asparagus while preserving its nutritional content, ensuring consumers can enjoy high-quality and fresh-tasting asparagus year-round.

Workers are busy processing the asparagus in the factory of Caoxian county. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Countree Food company in Caoxian county specializes in canned asparagus production, primarily exporting to countries in Europe and America, where it leads in Chinese export volumes. The company has innovatively introduced a model of "selling one asparagus spear to three countries" according to different dietary preferences. This strategic approach maximizes profits from asparagus sales.

The processed asparagus cans are ready to be sold. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"The annual estimated selling revenue of our company is $120 million, with asparagus accounting for approximately 25 percent, which is $30 million," said Pan Shuguang, department manager of Countree Food company. (Edited by Zhang Ying)